Amid Fast And Furious Fallout, Obama Nominates New US Prosecutor For Arizona

President Obama nominated a longtime Tucson-area judge Wednesday to take over the scandal-rocked US Attorney’s Office in Arizona, which is still facing fallout over the botched Fast and Furious investigation despite the resignation of its previous leader in August.

John Leonardo, who served as a judge in Pima County for about 19 years and as a federal prosecutor for 20 years before that, will still have to be confirmed by the US Senate.

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, Obama called Leonardo’s career “distinguished and impressive” and said he was confident the former judge would do well in the office.

Meanwhile, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee continues to investigate the gun-running scandal, which led to the resignation of Dennis Burke, the previous US Attorney for Arizona.